Bailee Wilson, sophomore third baseman at Effingham County High School, points to the letters “PYHO” written inside her glove. The acronym stands for Play Your Heart Out. (Josh Galemore/Savannah Morning News)

Effingham County’s Bailee Wilson grew up learning the game of softball from her older sister Shelby, now a freshman playing at Georgia Southern.

The sisters have a tradition of writing things on their gloves — Bailee has WWJD, for “What Would Jesus Do” on her glove, along with PYHO for “Play Your Heart Out.”

The sophomore third baseman did just that this year for the Rebels. She hit .467 with 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 34 RBIs with 26 runs scored. She had a.534 on-base percentage and an .822 slugging percentage with 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts. In the pitching circle, she posted a 5-2 record and a 1.23 ERA in 45 2/3 innings, with 45 strikeouts for a Rebel team that reached the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.

Wilson earned 2016 All-Greater Savannah Softball Player of the Year honors for her efforts.

“Bailee has so much natural ability and she works very hard at it,” Effingham County coach Matt Huntley said. “She is strong and very smart in her understanding of the game. She’s an intelligent pitcher and she makes smart decisions at the plate. She knows what she likes to hit, and she waits for it.”

Wilson made the move from second base as a freshman — the one year she got to play with her sister Shelby — to third base this season.

“She is a huge plus for us at third base,” Huntley said. “She has great reactions and has no fear.”

Wilson said she learned a lot about the mental side of the game from Shelby.

“She taught me to work hard even if someone is in front of you getting more playing time,” Bailee Wilson said. “You have to always strive to be your best.”

Wilson plays for the Georgia Impact club team, and said her father, Mike Wilson, has been her hitting coach since she was a kid.

“He always tells me that center field is your friend as a hitter,” Bailee said. “This year most of my homers were to left center. I’m a power hitter, but I also know how to move the runner over when I need to.”

Wilson said the Rebels, who finished the season 18-11, have a bright future.

“We lost six seniors to graduation last year, and we had all underclassmen starting at four important positions this season,” Wilson said. “I think we did a good job and improved a lot this year. Maybe we can win the region next year, and our top goal would be making a run in the state playoffs.”